Does anyone have details of splits of record (or say sub 4 hour) return trips?
3 hours 20 mins on the main trail sounds impossible. They must shortcut a lot of switchbacks etc and not keep to the trail for large parts. Can anyone get to the top in 2 hours? I'd really like to see that to believe it.
I'm also curious how it was done. Particularly the descent part, they either had to cut switchbacks or go above 10 mph for much of the distance.
There's a LA Times article from 1991 that describes a record-setting trip by a ranger named Marty Hornick (mountaineer's route, 2:08 to the top, 3:23 total), and says that the previous fastest time was 2:17 to the top via main trail. Also in 1991, some guy named Vernon Morris apparently did the main trail round trip in "just over" 3:20. 2:17 may or may not have been his ascent time.
In 2002, Jason Lakey (also a ranger, I think) did MR in 2:09 to the top and 3:10 total.
Doug Sr of WPS should be the most knowledgeable person about these and other attempts.
